Volunteer

Midland County Habitat for Humanity welcomes volunteers of all ages, races, nationalities, religious affiliations and economic levels. Although liability concerns prevent us from allowing minors under the age of 14 on building sites during construction, they are welcome to help with non-construction related activities. Some tasks require licensed contractors or skilled volunteers. Other tasks can be learned on the job.

Individual Volunteering

We build and repair homes throughout the year, and we want your help--whatever your skill level is! Volunteers work on our each week from Monday through Friday, 9:00am am to 4:00pm. You can sign up to help as much or as little as you want.

Group Volunteering

Bring your company, team, organization or school to Midland County Habitat for Humanity for a day of volunteering together and having fun—all while making an important contribution to Habitat’s mission of building homes in partnership with families in need. To schedule a team volunteer day, please contact Lauri Ireland, Community Outreach Coordinator at ireland@midlandhabitat.org or 989.496.0900 ext. 24.

There are two ways for your group to volunteer:

1. Sponsoring a Team Build Day on our construction sites

Your group invests in Habitat's mission by sponsoring its Team Build Day through a tax-deductible financial donation. Your contribution helps Habitat cover the costs incurred by your team of 10 volunteers and pushes our affordable housing projects closer to completion.

2. Team Volunteering at the ReStore

Teams can volunteer at the Habitat ReStore without a financial donation (although donations are welcome). All ReStore revenue goes towards future homebuilding projects—which means that volunteering at the Restore directly helps us raise money to build more Habitat houses! Volunteers help process, organize and stock donations, and provide customer service to visitors.

Youth Volunteering

MCHFH is currently working on Youth Program. Check back with us soon!

Job Site Safety

Safety is a priority for Midland County Habitat for Humanity. We recommend all volunteers helping at a construction site watch the "Volunteer On A Habitat for Humanity Job Site" slideshow on the Free Volunteer Safety Training Course page. Information to log in to the safety training can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need construction experience to volunteer?

No, you do not need any experience. Our site supervisors will give you all the onsite training you need each day. All skill levels are welcome and appreciated!

What should I expect volunteering with Habitat?

Expect to have some fun, learn new things and work hard. We meet on site each morning and start the day with orientation and training, including a safety talk. We will work in the morning and break for lunch at noon. (Please pack a lunch.) Work resumes in the afternoon until cleanup. Our skilled site supervisors are there all day to lead you

16-17 year olds may assist on most construction sites, but may not use power tools or work from a height of six feet or more

14-15 year olds may paint and landscape on the construction site

Youth under 14 years may not volunteer on the construction site, but there are still many youth volunteer opportunities

Please contact Lauri at 989.496.0900 ext. 24 for more details

What should I wear?

Dress modestly in layers appropriate for the weather with a water resistant outer layer

Bring a hat to shade you from the sun or a winter cap to fit under a hard hat

Assume the house is not air conditioned or heated

Shirts must be worn at all times

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes

Wear clothes that can get dirty or get paint on them

What happens if there is inclement weather?

We work in light rain, but if there is heavy rain or lightning we will break and allow the weather to clear. If inclement weather persists we will try to move to an indoor site.

We do work while it is snowing, but we advise all volunteers to use their own best judgment regarding road conditions

How physically demanding is the construction?

Some construction tasks are more demanding than others, but clear communication with your site supervisor will help him or her adapt tasks to your desired level. All volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and take breaks when needed.

How do I sign up?

Individual volunteers, youth, high school and college groups can contact Lauri: ireland@midlandhabitat.or, 989.496.0900 ext. 24

Safe Work Environments: Whether at a construction site, the ReStore, or a special event, we work hard to keep you safe. Safety orientations kick off every construction day, and safety equipment is provided.

Productive Work Days: Everything you need (tools, supplies and work plan) will be waiting for you, and by the end of the day you'll see tangible results of your labor.

Learn New Skills: No experience is necessary—we mean it! Our site supervisors are trained to teach you everything you need to know.

Patience, Perspective and a Sense of Humor: We work hard and we have fun doing it!

What can Habitat expect from volunteers?

Prompt Arrival: A prompt start to each volunteer shift ensures we can finish our homes on schedule. Plus, having everyone on hand for orientation makes our work sites safer and more efficient.

Safety: Please use tools and equipment as instructed and adhere to safety procedures. Closed-toed shoes are required, and each volunteer must sign a liability waiver before working.

Commitment: If you sign up to volunteer, we count on you, and so do our homebuyer families!

Flexibility: Sometimes weather doesn't cooperate, a task doesn't go exactly according to plan or we need to refocus our efforts on a special project. Either way, we’ll make it work and hope you will too!